The new committee has been created to help fight corruption in the defence sector. It is comprised of six members: three nationals – Sevgil Musaeva, Volodymyr Ogryzko, Oleh Rybachuk (co-chair), and three foreign experts – Lt Gen Tim Evans, Drago Kos (co-chair), and James Wasserstrom.

"Corruption in the Ukrainian defence sector costs lives," says Oleh Rybachuk. "Our soldiers and citizens deserve a Ministry of Defence that is efficient, accountable and serving their interests. Our aim is to help our MOD achieve those aims."

The Committee's task is to analyse and evaluate anti-corruption efforts in the defence sector. They are also supposed to work out recommendations on fighting bribery, report to Ukrainian authorities and the public, promote transparency, and strengthen accountability structures. It will also, later this year, enable citizens and soldiers to anonymously report corruption concerns to the group.

"In Afghanistan and Iraq, I saw first-hand the impact that corruption can have on the success of military operations. Without integrity, an army can't function effectively – and our aim, in the long-term, is to help the Ukrainian defence forces protect its people and its country," said Lt Gen Timothy Evans, former commander of the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.